Mary Wilson, editor of the Jackson County Advocate newspaper, grew up in the Grandview, Missouri community. She currently serves as Treasurer for the Missouri Press Association, immediate past president of the Grandview Main Street, Inc., serves on the Board of Directors for the Kansas City Press Club, and works as a development coordinator for the Grandview Education Foundation. You can reach her at mwilson@jcadvocate.com, or follow her on twitter @MWilsonJCA.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Every February, for as long as I can remember, in every
magazine and in several commercials, we are constantly reminded to be
heart-conscious. Whether it’s the cereal we eat, the exercises we do (or don’t)
do, or whatever is determined to be good for your heart, advocates for healthy
hearts are everywhere.

A few years ago, I was young, and sincerely thought that
heart issues were for older people. I thought, “I’m young, my friends are
young, we’re healthy, we have nothing to worry about!” I was wrong.

In 2011, my best friend, Danielle, gave birth to her second
child, a healthy and adorable boy named Charlie. Two months later, while at a
benefit walk, she collapsed. Several days after, it was determined that her
heart stopped beating for too long, and her husband and family made the hard
decision to remove her from life support. This was truly devastating, and a
complete shock.

Witnessing something like that, especially someone you are
close to, really makes you open your eyes to things, making you hug those you
love a little tighter, and count your blessings like never before. Danielle
left a legacy in her two handsome boys, and I see her in their eyes.

She left me with memories, but also left me with the
knowledge that our time spent on earth can be cut short in an instant. This
February, I will focus on my own heart, and those who I hold so close to it,
and I will be reminded that heart health is so much more than whether or not my
heart is pumping blood through my veins. It’s about family and friends, laughing
and enjoying life. Because that’s what’s truly important, and that’s the kind
of exercise I can do without breaking a sweat.